In addition to identifying the causes and physical effects of various nutritional deficiencies, this discussion describes the effects of each deficiency on the learning process. The recommended daily food intake for children and teenagers is also noted. Eight types of nutritional deficiency are discussed in detail: (1) malnutrition (both…

This document reports on the results of tests of nutrition knowledge given to a random selection of Illinois students in the fourth, eighth, and eleventh grades. The assessment included questions measuring student knowledge of nutrients, the role of nutrients in the body, food handling principles, the relationship between food intake and the…

Intended chiefly for nutrition instructors in elementary, secondary, and college classes, this bibliography can supplement the reading lists of other nutrition fields, such as food science and diet therapy. Separate sections of the document are devoted to books, documents and journal articles culled from the ERIC data base, films, multimedia…

This survey of scientific literature briefly overviews findings on the relations between learning and behavior and hunger, undernutrition, and malnutrition. Topics examined include chronic undernutrition in the U.S., iron deficiency, obesity, and hyperactivity. School feeding programs, including school breakfast programs, are described. The list…

Research related to the importance of involving parents directly in treatment programming for childhood obesity has provided inconclusive results because of methodological problems and relatively short treatment duration periods. The effectiveness of an extended behavioral weight control program was evaluated during a 10-week treatment phase and…

Forty adult overweight female volunteers were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (1) two self-control instruction conditions; (2) an automatic immunization instruction group; and (3) a no treatment control group. In the self-control groups, treatment was presented as an aid to gaining self-control over behavior, while in the automatic…

Compared obese female binge and nonbinge eaters on mood, diet behavior, and responses to standard and modified behavioral weight control programs, the latter emphasizing meal regularity, intake of complex carbohydrates, and activity. Binge eaters reported significantly more depressive symptomatology, psychological distress and maladaptive diet…

Summarizes recent developments in assessment and treatment of obesity. Reviews studies on genetics and weight cycling, which demonstrate the heterogeneous etiology of obesity and help explain difficulty in losing weight or maintaining weight loss. Describes the newer treatment programs which emphasize the development of exercise behaviors,…

Examines three major types of intervention strategies that have been utilized in school-based weight-reduction programs. Discusses behavior modification, dietary control/nutrition education, and physical activities which have been successfully combined in multifaceted obesity interventions to produce modest weight loss. (Author/NRB)

The most basic fact about childhood obesity is that a child who consumes more energy in the form of food than s/he uses will gain weight. Medical information about obesity is reviewed, and ways that parents can help overweight children are suggested. (PP)

State health agencies are asked to do a big job. With the advent of an increased focus on bioterrorism preparedness, and the emergence of diseases such as West Nile Virus and SARS, the job is becoming bigger. Yet health agencies still have responsibilities for more traditional concerns, since these problems remain threats to the public. State…

This study developed and administered a questionnaire to identify feeding practices among low-income African-American mothers and eating behaviors in their preschool children that are associated with childhood obesity. The findings do not appear to implicate feeding practices to childhood obesity in this sample of preschoolers. However, before…

"The Shape We're In" is a national public education initiative that places a media spotlight on physical activity and obesity to promote public awareness and spark dialogue and action across the country. The centerpiece is a five-part newspaper series delivered to newspapers nationwide. This community action guide begins by describing…

Asserting that 13 million U.S. children live in households with limited or uncertain access to sufficient food, this report highlights recent findings showing the adverse consequences of hunger and food insecurity for children. The findings are grouped into three broad areas: health consequences, psychosocial and behavioral impacts, and learning…

This article reports on a study undertaken to determine if overweight, mentally retarded students could safely lose weight and maintain their individual losses through a given time period (six months). School personnel and parents instituted minor changes in nutrition and a simple activity program. (Authors/JMK)